Monday March 11
My dear Sister,
I am sorry to hear you are again suffering
with influenza I hope it is not accompanied by pain
in the back as it was here – Willie’s eyes have been much
worse the past week – a white spot is accumulating on
the left eye which has made me apprehensive that the
dear little boy may become totally blind– So far I have
been able to keep him in a light room and he is out in
the open air every day so that his health continues good –
The inflammation of his eyes is plainly a catarrhal affection
as he has every symptom of a violent cold in the head–
Henry returned Friday evening and proposed taking Willie
either to New York or to Rochester again – I have a dread
of occulist which was in no way diminished by the in–
judicious prescription of Dr Munn Dr Robinson says he
has often removed spots of this kind by putting pulverized
sugar in the eye– Henry fears the experiment– pray ask
Dr Matthews whether he has ever seen it tried and with
what success– Mrs Abbott told Henry yesterday that
her son was blind 2 years from the same cause but
the difficulty was finally removed– she spoke of the

application of loaf sugar but did not mention the effect
I shall try to see her to day or tomorrow– Her son is now
a physician in the Turkish service and lives in Egypt
he has never been in this country — We have a letter
from dear Gus in which he says that Maj– Delafield
has given orders for an exchange of roommates in compliance
with Henry's request – he adds that he is sorry his
father should think he would b willingly give pain
to his mother by a wrong course of conduct which he
shall endeavor to avoid – I trust he will write more
fully to me– It is plain that his associates have occasioned
many of his demerits though he will probably never
tell the extent of this influence – I never knew him com–
plain of a school mate and am not now surprised by his
silence – Henry has also a letter from Maj– Delafield saying
that he will have an exchange made – Mr Weed is going
down to see Augustus when the river opens – I have suffered
much on his account for the last two weeks–
Pa has gone out to day for the first time – he is better but
not well– his feet are much better though he is feeble–
I have not seen Clara since Tuesday when we made

some calls together and she took tea here– We went to see
Debby but she was at some of the Wood's – Jane said that Mr
Bronson had been at Canandaigua and seen Mrs Worden as she
heard him telling Debby Ann that Mrs Worden made many
affectionate enquiries about her– Bronson I presume is or will
be pretty attentive to the young widow – she will marry him if
some younger person does not offer – I wish Bronson could
in some way manage to have his ward in better hands than
those of Lydia whose face expresses all that is evil– but there
is no fear of his being very active in reforms– Jane says Debby [hole]
grief continues unmitigated– We have church Wednesday [hole]
and Friday's– I have been able to go but twice and this
is the fourth week in Lent– I suppose I shall not be
excommunicated as there is no super abundance of members
in our church– I hope Clara will make you a visit
this spring if she returns here she will have no excuse
for remaining at home– I do not think the matter
is quite settled yet– We called to see Henry Underwoods
wife– Clara was acquainted with Mrs Catlin Eliza
appears young though not at all diffident– her mother
says she is 20 – I should think her much younger – her
face indicates smartness and I think ill temper but
this may be uncharitable– I presume her mind is not very

much cultivated– if she resembles her mother she is a thorough
housekeeper– I was disappointed I admit when I heard of
the marriage though I believe without any just cause–
He has married among his early associations and if his
wife is amiable will be more happy than if he
had gone above them perhaps– I suppose refinement does
not really promote happiness of itself without some other
attractive qualities–
I think as a general rule people are better suited to each
other whose education and position in society are equal– this
is in ordinary cases– extraordinary minds can always ^better^ diverge
from the common track with a prospect of happiness–
After all temper and disposition are chiefly essential in
married life– it will not be easy to quarrel with Henry–

Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
Auburn
MAR 11
N.Y.

[right Margin]
This matter makes all the birds sing as well as Dick

x

Dick Pet

 Death: 1860

- how much
we all miss Bob

x

Bob Pet

 Death: 1844-01-25

– Love to Frances

x

Frances Chesebro

Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24

Your own sister